It Matters Much

A little here, a little there - a pinch here, a pinch there ... that seemed to be how my Nanny and my Mama measured ingredients. That hasn't worked so well for me! God said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5, ESV) then He repeated Himself "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37, ESV). I suspect it's at the word "all" where we get lost! Satan convinces us we're doing pretty good - we're mostly obedient. Oswald Chambers writes, "Beware of the thing of which you say — 'Oh, that does not matter much.' The fact that it does not matter much to you may mean that it matters a very great deal to God" (My Utmost for His Highest). Scripture is clear: it's the little foxes that spoil the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15) ... A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor (Ecclesiastes 10:1) ... The one who keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all of it (James 2:10). With God, "nothing is a mere detail" (Chambers). That little-here and little-there is a spiritual-life killer! Perhaps a good rule to remember is when we think it matters little, to God ... it matters much!

First Place

Being part of a team is something I know. Basketball and slow-pitch softball were my sports; and, while second, third or fourth place may have been commendable, we wanted that first place trophy! Jesus wants first place, too ... that is, in your life. He said in Matthew 6:33a, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." Oh, the things that we chase after! The pursuit leaves us breathless and often wanting more. In the previous verses, Jesus lays out the beautiful case of how He sufficiently cares for the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field in majestic attire. "f God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!" (V.30 NASB). When God gets first place in our lives a life of righteousness follows, which includes trusting in Him for all our needs. "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (V.33). There's really nothing like resting in the All-Sufficiency of The Father. He has gathered us in from darkness into His glorious light through His Son, Jesus Christ. What a display of just how much God cares for me and for you. Will you trust Him with ... first place?

Right-Side Up

Have you ever got turned-around you weren't sure where you were? If so, you know you need to just stop, take a moment to think before going on. God gave very clear (undebatable) instructions to Jonah: "Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim [judgment] against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me." (Jonah 1:1 AMP). Sixteen verses later, we Jonah in a bad place ... in the stomach of a big fish (Verse 17). How did Jonah get so turned around? It started with Jonah choosing to hop a ship in the opposite direction of Nineveh - he chose disobedience over obedience. Be sure there's nothing more certain to get you all twisted-up and upside-down spiritually than refusing to submit to God as sole authority in your life. Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 1:28 ESV). To be blessed is to happy, fortunate and favored by God - a result of God's children choosing obedience. Let's not deceive ourselves: we are "doers of the word" (James 1:22) only when we are follow God's instructions - when we "do" the word. The joy and delight - not to mention the rewards - of trusting God enough to say "yes, Lord" in humble obedience is the way to keep ourselves in good standing with The Father and ... right-side up!

Consider Your Choices!

The word "habit" really isn't a negative word but the word brings our bad to mind. One source gives the definition as "a settled, automatic behavior pattern acquired through frequent repetition." That "frequent repetition forms a tendency to repeat the pattern almost subconsciously, i.e. turning off lights, locking doors, biting nails, etc. Research says it can take as few as 18 days for a new behavior to become automatic ... yes, a habit. Joshua said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 ESV). Now, that is a bold declaration - one every Believer should nod to and agree! How does such resolve actually come to pass? Let me suggest, it begins with a habit of wise choices. Jesus said in Matthew 6, "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (V.33). In other words, as the standard for every choice His children make, the standard should be His righteousness. The old line "what would Jesus do?" is actually a good question to ask. If Jesus would do it, it's a good choice; and, repeating that choice over and over again will lead to something spiritually beneficial ... a holy habit. Joshua's bold statement is a challenge to Believers today to determine by God's grace to choose daily - one choice at a time - to yield ourselves to the path of righteousness. Of all the choices you and I will make today and tomorrow and every day after, there is no more important a choice than to follow Jesus. Consider your choices!

Choose The Lord

In several conversations recently I've said these words, "life is about choices." Because choices are often systematic even unconscious, I doubt anyone can number the choices made in just a few hours of the day. Some choices we make bring great joy while others lead to heavy consequences; and, I propose this to be most evident in our spiritual lives. Jesus began His earthly ministry by repeating these words in Matthew 5, "Bless are the ..." - happy and spiritually prosperous are those who choose the ways of The Lord. The tone is set for the psalms with these words, "blessed is the man ..." - again, happy, fortunate and spiritually successful is the one who chooses wisely in spiritual matters. What sounds as such easy strategy, the application of it is actually arduous - difficult and tiring, requiring great strength. In spite of clever plans and most concerted efforts, options overwhelm us and lead us in a wrong direction. Words that help me personally, day by day to consider my choices are those of Joshua: "Fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth ... serve the Lord ... choose for yourselves today whom you will serve ... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:14-15 NASB). I suggest we too quickly agree "yes, I serve the Lord" - but genuine service happens one choice at a time! Note Joshua said "choose today" - one day at a time, one choice at a time do we choose to "fear the Lord and serve Him." The number of our days belong to The Lord, and so should the choices [of those numbered days] belong to Him. A life of spiritual prosperity is absolutely possible when it is The Lord we continually ... choose the Lord.